Safety and hypoglycaemic properties of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum.Key Words: Ocimum gratissimum; Diabetes mellitus; Hypoglycaemia, Liver enzyme

Distribution of abo, rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis among the undergraduate students of Niger delta university Nigeria

Summary: The distribution of ABO, Rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis among 200 undergraduate students of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria randomly selected were studied. Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from the antecubital vein. The blood sample were transferred into EDTA bottle and mixed. The determination of the ABO, Rhesus (RhD) blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis was done. The results showed that blood group O had the highest percentage distribution of 49% followed by blood groups A and B with 22% respectively and the least percentage distribution was blood group AB which is 7%. Rh-D positive rate was 98% and that of Rh-D negative was found to be 2%. The percentage distribution for thehaemoglobin electrophoresis pattern for HbAA, HbAS, HbSS, HbAC and HbSC were 66%, 26%, 2%, 2%, and 4% respectively. HbAA and HbAS occurred more frequently than other haemoglobin variants in this study

Glucose -6- phosphate dehydrogenase (g6pd) activity and deficiency in a population of Nigerian males resident in jos

The activity of red blood cell Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in one hundred and twenty six healthy male individuals who are Nigerians residing in Jos was evaluated. The enzyme activity was determined quantitatively by spectrophotometer assay method. The activity of red cell G6PD enzyme was subnormal in 20% of the population studied. This agrees with previous report of the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Nigerian males from the Western region of the country which is between 20 and 26%. The proportion of Nigerian males with subnormal G6PD activity is relatively constant irrespective of their geographical location

The burden of Hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia in Jos – Nigeria

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an important public health problem in Nigeria associated with frequent blood transfusion. Patients with this disease are at increased risk of contracting hepatitis B and C virus through blood transfusions.Objective: The study aimed at determining the burden of hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia and the role of blood transfusion in these infections acquisition in Jos.Materials and methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted on patients with SCA attending the Haematology Out-patient Clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital,between November 2014 and August 2015.Consenting patients with SCA had their blood screened for anti- HBV and HCV antibodies using fourth generation Elisa techniques after completing a questionnaire.Results: One hundred and eleven patients with SCA participated. Antibodies to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was detected in 21 (18.9%) while that to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was found in 16 (14.7%). Seventy six (68.5%) of the participants had history of blood transfusion while 35 (31.5%) were never transfused. 22.4% and 15.8% of those transfused were positive for HBV and HCV antibodies respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of those positive for anti HBV or HCV with respect to their transfusion status (p=0.24 and 0.81 respectively).Conclusion: The proportion of our patients with SCA that were anti HBV and anti-HCV positive was high. Blood transfusion did not significantly influence their positive status. Strategies aimed at controlling these viral infections in these patients and the general population should be enforced after public awareness campaigns and advocacy are instituted.Keywords: Sickle Cell Anaemia, burden, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis CVirus, infection, Blood Transfusio

Effects of combined oral contraceptive (Duofem) on some physiological parameters in female Wistar rats

Background: Numerous studies have reported a relationship between oral contraceptives use and cardiovascular disease, altered levels of coagulation factors and thrombosis. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of Combined oral contraceptive (COC, Duofem) on some physiological parameters and elucidate possible mechanism of action in female wistar rats.Methods: Forty (40) female wistar rats aged 10-12 weeks weighing 180-250 g were used for the study. They were divided into four groups (A-D) of 10 rats each comprising 5 treated and 5 control rats. The treated rats received (by intragastric administration), 0.6mg/kg body weight of COC for 36, 48, 60 and 72 days in five-day cycles (four-days treatment with one-day break). The COC was given in 5-day cycles (4-day treatment with 1-day break). An autoanalyzer was used to perform a complete blood count (CBC or FBC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the quantitative determination of Protein C and S Antigen in citrated rat plasma. Antithrombin (AT) was determined by Chromogenic Assays. Prothrombin time (PT), Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were performed using Sysmex CA-6000 Coagulation Analyzer. Serum electrolytes were determined using Audicom AC99000 and liver function tests by ELISA method. Erythropoietin was determined using rat EPO ELISA kit. Fibrinogen was estimated by Clauss Assay.Results: There were significant decreases in haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), Red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) counts, lymphocytes (L), prothrombin time (PT) concentration, fibrinogen (Fib) concentration, antithrombin (AT) concentration , protein C (PC), protein S (PS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-11 (IL-11) in all treated groups compared to controls (P< 0.05, respectively); in contrast, activities of alkaline phosphate (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as sodium and potassium were increased. There were no significant changes in APTT, mean platelet volume (MPV), EPO concentration, MCH, MCV, MCHC, Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil, Bicarbonate and Chloride in all treated groups compared to controls. Most of the changes in the Physiological parameters were observed in long term exposure group C and group D.Conclusion: Long term used of combined oral contraceptives may lead to more complications than short time use. COC users should be monitored for some physiological parameters.Keywords: Combined Oral Contraceptives, Physiological Parameters, Wistar rat

The Effect of Varied Doses of Nicotine on Some Morphometric Parameters of the Testis in Albino Wistar Rats

Background: This study is aimed at determining the effect of nicotine on male fertility by evaluating some morphometric parameters of male Wistar rat such as testicular weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, height of epithelium, sertoli-germ cell ratio and Johnsen’s score  in order to assess the spermatogic  index. Methods: 20 adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, the test groups were administered with 0.2mg/100g, 0.4/100g and 0.6/100g body weight of nicotine base daily for 30 days using a polythene catheter orally , while the control were administered with 2mls 0.9%physiological saline. Histological slides of the testis were made and data obtained from the slides. Results: nicotine caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) and (P< 0.01) in the mean values of the morphometric parameters of the test group compared with control. The Johnsen’s Score results were 5.4 ± 0.51*, 5.2 ± 0.37* for groups 2 and 3 respectively. For seminiferous tubule diameter the significant values were 208.0±4.22**, 184.5±11.31**in groups 2 and 3, whilst the height of epithelium showed a significant reduction of 153.9± 13.58*, 101.6 ± 1.35**, 76.6 ± 6.65** for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Sertoli-germ cell ratio showed a significant reduction in groups 2 and 3 with values of 3.6 ± 0.77 ** , 1.5 ±  0.16**for groups 2, and 3 respectively, testicular weight showed significant reduction of 1.2±0.05**,1.1±0.05** for group 2 and 3.The results stated are only those that showed a significant reduction at 95% confidence level when compared with the control. Conclusion:  It was concluded that nicotine exerted an adverse effects on the spermatogenic index with concomitant reduction in reproductive potentials of the male rat. Nicotine and nicotine- based products should therefore be taken with caution in cases of infertility in man and animal. Key words: Morphometric parameters ,Johnsen’s Score,Spermatogenic index , fertilit